Adventure
I had wanted to lax lyrical on the cruise trip but I found Zi Tong has practically written the entire iternary on her blog - so we shouldn't double our efforts yeah? Except to say, gambing actually brings the realism of statistics to true form. :) Try observing the pattern in a Big/Small game - you then realised why in statistic class, they emphasized on the sampling size - haha - I digress - lest I be known as a loony geek.
Ah why don't I regale the tale of the Bangalore trip?
Started when I tried calling a rental company 1 day before my trip in India.
"Yes, tell me" intoned the agency boss.
"Yes, is this XXX rental?"
"Tell me..Tell me.."
*Thinking* "Tell what you !#@$@$@#"
Much later....we resolved the differences between English spoken in 2 ex British colony.
"And your good name, sir?" (another thing, everyone has a good name there)
"The honourable Ang..."
And it went downhill again from here...
Morning - stupid ..... delayed by 1.5 hours.
The airline was reeking of stale urine and there had to be air freshener burst every 15 minutes.
Was it all that bad?
Well, actually it turned out better than expected. The people are invariably friendier - perhaps this is what we termed Asian hospitality.
Looking at the blooming buildings and all, it is a marvel - truly the opportunities are back in the East - you can literally sense this other giant awakening besides China and it is awesome...scary.
With that, it's time to go sleep.
Sam
Monday, March 13, 2006
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Aftermath
Whatever will be will be..
It has been a while since I last penned my thoughts but hell, the world doesn't wait for this blogger... So many things have happened..I doubt if anyone can ever keep up with this relentless tide.
First thing - the passing of our founding father, Mr Rajaranam. I find it so ironical that one only begins to know the greatness of a person ONLY after the passing. The clips showed how he reached out to the man in the street - using simple words to bring out the impact of his words.
"Regardless of race, language or religion". How many time have we recite that in our school days - and yet paying scant attention to the importance of the words.
Have we achieved this multiracialism? I wonder....
Henceforth, for my small part as a citizen, I resolve never to make small jokes about nationalities and race - one small part of what a single citizen can do to help :)
Next, Wabe is still mired in all her work - and getting stressed.... She is always in a perpetual frown ...sigh
This is why when she suggest a cruise this weekend, I was more than happy to oblige - it will be a welcome break and it's high time the 3 of us bond w/o the loom of office work! :)
Tatami! The platform is done and waiting for the tatami next week ! YEAH!!! Funny, I think once we decided to not purchase a private property, we go all the way out to "khng" our house with multiple luxuries.. I think I should call it "Wabe Khng Your House" ... heh heh
Next week I will be travelling to Bangalore for 2 days. The days of my Singapore playground is ending ...welcome to the region...BUT I thought can start with KL right?! Sigh
Ok ... signing out....
Sam
It has been a while since I last penned my thoughts but hell, the world doesn't wait for this blogger... So many things have happened..I doubt if anyone can ever keep up with this relentless tide.
First thing - the passing of our founding father, Mr Rajaranam. I find it so ironical that one only begins to know the greatness of a person ONLY after the passing. The clips showed how he reached out to the man in the street - using simple words to bring out the impact of his words.
"Regardless of race, language or religion". How many time have we recite that in our school days - and yet paying scant attention to the importance of the words.
Have we achieved this multiracialism? I wonder....
Henceforth, for my small part as a citizen, I resolve never to make small jokes about nationalities and race - one small part of what a single citizen can do to help :)
Next, Wabe is still mired in all her work - and getting stressed.... She is always in a perpetual frown ...sigh
This is why when she suggest a cruise this weekend, I was more than happy to oblige - it will be a welcome break and it's high time the 3 of us bond w/o the loom of office work! :)
Tatami! The platform is done and waiting for the tatami next week ! YEAH!!! Funny, I think once we decided to not purchase a private property, we go all the way out to "khng" our house with multiple luxuries.. I think I should call it "Wabe Khng Your House" ... heh heh
Next week I will be travelling to Bangalore for 2 days. The days of my Singapore playground is ending ...welcome to the region...BUT I thought can start with KL right?! Sigh
Ok ... signing out....
Sam
Saturday, February 18, 2006
New Offer
New path
It was with some trepidation on the day - 15th Feb 2006 that the whole Siebel office waited in the boardroom for our fate.
The Oracle HR have given us a brief on their benefits - not too bad! Things are getting rosy!
But what about the $$...
One by one, we were called and given our letter..
Praise be with God! My base and OTE remains unchanged!!
With this, all the months of uneasy uncertainty ended... of course some did not made it...life goes on...law of the jungle..
And thus ended my relationship with Siebel ... I remembered when I was still a rookie just 3 years after my DSTA days, travelling to US ... driving on 106...going to mega malls...that was pretty awesome to me then.
I recalled being extremely alien to the concept of even conference calls then..haha
And who can forget the heady days of the stock options....
and it has accepted me ....3 times back ..
And now itself, it has returned to its roots...when 14 years ago, in a little laboratory in Oracle, a ambitious man decided to strike it out on his own and created a legacy.
With that, I salute you "Siebel" and thank you for everything.
Sam
It was with some trepidation on the day - 15th Feb 2006 that the whole Siebel office waited in the boardroom for our fate.
The Oracle HR have given us a brief on their benefits - not too bad! Things are getting rosy!
But what about the $$...
One by one, we were called and given our letter..
Praise be with God! My base and OTE remains unchanged!!
With this, all the months of uneasy uncertainty ended... of course some did not made it...life goes on...law of the jungle..
And thus ended my relationship with Siebel ... I remembered when I was still a rookie just 3 years after my DSTA days, travelling to US ... driving on 106...going to mega malls...that was pretty awesome to me then.
I recalled being extremely alien to the concept of even conference calls then..haha
And who can forget the heady days of the stock options....
and it has accepted me ....3 times back ..
And now itself, it has returned to its roots...when 14 years ago, in a little laboratory in Oracle, a ambitious man decided to strike it out on his own and created a legacy.
With that, I salute you "Siebel" and thank you for everything.
Sam
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Transition to parent company
Reading the oracle
I have to ask you to excuse the pun on the heading :) I'd rather not get sued on using my new company's name ..heh heh
The gods have gathered last week and hath spoken - puny mortals like yours truly can only meekly await our fate on 15th this month when the celestial decree will point to our fates - damn...they better not adjust my base ....mutter mutter
Well on the other hand, I can always look on the bright side - consolidation is a finality in the software world and the most important thing is you lean with the winners.... I'd like to think the big O is a big winner - afterall the 2nd biggest sofware company tag in the world is quite a feat.
It will be a different ball game and I have to step up to another level - this is necessary and thus brook no discussions or whinings. It has to be done - time has to be sacrificed - more work need to be done. Just do it.
On a lighter note, I have begin to train Yang on the academic stuff.. setting goals and all. The trick is to set goals for Yang as well as myself. Objective - to read a ladybird book by end year and add and subtract. Let's have a checkpoint this Dec. If this is achieved - I will get Yang a trip to Tokyo Disneyland and myself a set of Joy irons.. heh heh
Alright, need to go.
Sam
I have to ask you to excuse the pun on the heading :) I'd rather not get sued on using my new company's name ..heh heh
The gods have gathered last week and hath spoken - puny mortals like yours truly can only meekly await our fate on 15th this month when the celestial decree will point to our fates - damn...they better not adjust my base ....mutter mutter
Well on the other hand, I can always look on the bright side - consolidation is a finality in the software world and the most important thing is you lean with the winners.... I'd like to think the big O is a big winner - afterall the 2nd biggest sofware company tag in the world is quite a feat.
It will be a different ball game and I have to step up to another level - this is necessary and thus brook no discussions or whinings. It has to be done - time has to be sacrificed - more work need to be done. Just do it.
On a lighter note, I have begin to train Yang on the academic stuff.. setting goals and all. The trick is to set goals for Yang as well as myself. Objective - to read a ladybird book by end year and add and subtract. Let's have a checkpoint this Dec. If this is achieved - I will get Yang a trip to Tokyo Disneyland and myself a set of Joy irons.. heh heh
Alright, need to go.
Sam
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Back to Reality
Work Work Work
After the euphoria of the last few days, it was a bit of chore getting back to the momentum again.
Lots of catching up - got a 38 bucks hong bao from the company which is not that bad.
Emailed customers and kept abreasts of all the happenings.
Oooo....merger to finalized and confirmed this week so I will probably know the results next week.
Hope the big O doesn't cut our base.... that would be a shame.
Sam
After the euphoria of the last few days, it was a bit of chore getting back to the momentum again.
Lots of catching up - got a 38 bucks hong bao from the company which is not that bad.
Emailed customers and kept abreasts of all the happenings.
Oooo....merger to finalized and confirmed this week so I will probably know the results next week.
Hope the big O doesn't cut our base.... that would be a shame.
Sam
Sunday, January 29, 2006
CNY 2006
Traditions
Today is the culumination of the efforts the past weeks to prepare for this day.
All seemed to flash past so fast...I ended up wondering if the effort is worth it. Well, it pretty well darn WORTH it.
Adherence to the traditions might seem a chore but the "togetheress" in doing the prepartion goes a long way in bonding the family. At the end of the day, it is the family that counts. What I did not enjoy as a child, I certainly hope Yang would learn and feel the toasty feeling of being in a knitted family.
Sam
Today is the culumination of the efforts the past weeks to prepare for this day.
All seemed to flash past so fast...I ended up wondering if the effort is worth it. Well, it pretty well darn WORTH it.
Adherence to the traditions might seem a chore but the "togetheress" in doing the prepartion goes a long way in bonding the family. At the end of the day, it is the family that counts. What I did not enjoy as a child, I certainly hope Yang would learn and feel the toasty feeling of being in a knitted family.
Sam
Friday, January 27, 2006
CNY Eve!!!
Good tidings
Check out the new year decorations. The air is brimming with festivity and Wabe is busy packing the red packets while Yang is busy with his Ultraman buddies in where else but our cosy study again.
The house looks absolutely ready to rock for the new year. Well don't take my word for it - check it out yourself!! heh heh
Check out the new year decorations. The air is brimming with festivity and Wabe is busy packing the red packets while Yang is busy with his Ultraman buddies in where else but our cosy study again.
The house looks absolutely ready to rock for the new year. Well don't take my word for it - check it out yourself!! heh heh
Anger
Ponderings
I will politely divert from the usual diary stuff and rant instead of a certain topic which troubled me greatly.
Whereforth the love of a mother?
The strong support of a father?
That whom is bore is yours to love and hold
Be it a menace or angel
it is your love .. your baby
Has Christ ever forsake us when we sinned?
Who are we to condemn a sinner - based on principles bored by our clouded mundane minds
The Lord said "Judge not and ye would not be judged"
Please take the plank out of your eyes before you rant on the speck of dust in your child
truly in the last days, He has said "fathers would turn against sons"
and truly the first seed of doubt has begun to germinate in me
Sam
I will politely divert from the usual diary stuff and rant instead of a certain topic which troubled me greatly.
Whereforth the love of a mother?
The strong support of a father?
That whom is bore is yours to love and hold
Be it a menace or angel
it is your love .. your baby
Has Christ ever forsake us when we sinned?
Who are we to condemn a sinner - based on principles bored by our clouded mundane minds
The Lord said "Judge not and ye would not be judged"
Please take the plank out of your eyes before you rant on the speck of dust in your child
truly in the last days, He has said "fathers would turn against sons"
and truly the first seed of doubt has begun to germinate in me
Sam
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Clothes Dryer
Evolution
It is funny how we gradually begin to ape the habits of the West as our lifestyle grows more affluent ... decadent....
Today marked our another step towards that lifestyle...we bought a clothes dryer. I remembered I used to think it will "waste electricity" etc. Well, on retrospect - if you think of the time drying them on cloths line etc - I guess I would rather spent the extra.
Wooo... nice warm smell...no fear of the elements now...no more "Oh no the rain spoiled it...darn" - I guess I will be enjoying this wondeful bliss till the bill comes :)
Anyway, it will be soon CNY..so have a happy properous year!
Sam
It is funny how we gradually begin to ape the habits of the West as our lifestyle grows more affluent ... decadent....
Today marked our another step towards that lifestyle...we bought a clothes dryer. I remembered I used to think it will "waste electricity" etc. Well, on retrospect - if you think of the time drying them on cloths line etc - I guess I would rather spent the extra.
Wooo... nice warm smell...no fear of the elements now...no more "Oh no the rain spoiled it...darn" - I guess I will be enjoying this wondeful bliss till the bill comes :)
Anyway, it will be soon CNY..so have a happy properous year!
Sam
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Finally back home :)
Woke up early this morning - Zi Lin is coming back today!!
Yang as usual was grumpy and kept asking for 5 more minutes.... man we did ended up late to fetch a fuming Wabe.
Then it was straight to home to a refresher and then CHENG KEE for a sumptious meal as promised to Wabe.
A flower trip to Thomson netted us a pot of kumquat and a pot of chilli plant. Father in law had a friend who tipped us on 61 - a vague place which supposedly had lots of fresh flowers. Well what do you know, he was right!
More plants followed and the back of the Odeyssey was packed even with the last row folded!! Imagine that!
I remembered the last time we had such a great time buying was the good times of 98-99. I have a strong hunch this would be a great year and may health and prosperity be with all!
Then it was reunion time in grandmother in law house - very cosy was usual....but still missing a special twang..
Ok time to sleep - oh I forgot to add, Yang and myself will be decked in the traditional Chinese suit come CNY hehe. Cost me a bloody bomb in Yue Hua if I may add...nice materials though :) My OTE better be as great as my boss promised:)
Night!
Sam
Yang as usual was grumpy and kept asking for 5 more minutes.... man we did ended up late to fetch a fuming Wabe.
Then it was straight to home to a refresher and then CHENG KEE for a sumptious meal as promised to Wabe.
A flower trip to Thomson netted us a pot of kumquat and a pot of chilli plant. Father in law had a friend who tipped us on 61 - a vague place which supposedly had lots of fresh flowers. Well what do you know, he was right!
More plants followed and the back of the Odeyssey was packed even with the last row folded!! Imagine that!
I remembered the last time we had such a great time buying was the good times of 98-99. I have a strong hunch this would be a great year and may health and prosperity be with all!
Then it was reunion time in grandmother in law house - very cosy was usual....but still missing a special twang..
Ok time to sleep - oh I forgot to add, Yang and myself will be decked in the traditional Chinese suit come CNY hehe. Cost me a bloody bomb in Yue Hua if I may add...nice materials though :) My OTE better be as great as my boss promised:)
Night!
Sam
Friday, January 20, 2006
Family Musings
On Leave
Well, today was a jolly good day. In the morning, I had breakfast with Jin Hen and he followed me to the car mechanic. Too bad I couldn't fetch him to the school as I had to rush home to send a mail. Hey I am on leave ! :)
Anyway, I took a LRT train and Bus 907 to Zoo with Yang and we had a great time :)
Now, we are back in our cosy study room in TECK WHYE and waiting for Zi Lin to come back.
Bye for now :)
Sam
Well, today was a jolly good day. In the morning, I had breakfast with Jin Hen and he followed me to the car mechanic. Too bad I couldn't fetch him to the school as I had to rush home to send a mail. Hey I am on leave ! :)
Anyway, I took a LRT train and Bus 907 to Zoo with Yang and we had a great time :)
Now, we are back in our cosy study room in TECK WHYE and waiting for Zi Lin to come back.
Bye for now :)
Sam
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Family Musings
Day 2
Just fetched Yang to school. We called Zi Lin this morning - she sounded quite sad. No worries we tell her, it will be soon before she will be back this Sunday and we will off to a sumptious meal!
She don't like French food so I guess it will be a difficult time for her.
Later will go and buy Ultraman toy for Yang.
Sam
Just fetched Yang to school. We called Zi Lin this morning - she sounded quite sad. No worries we tell her, it will be soon before she will be back this Sunday and we will off to a sumptious meal!
She don't like French food so I guess it will be a difficult time for her.
Later will go and buy Ultraman toy for Yang.
Sam
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Family Musings
Family Musings
Tomorrow Zi Lin is going to Paris on a business trip. Yang and myself will be missing her very much.
We will be there to fetch her when she returns next Sunday!
Tomorrow Zi Lin is going to Paris on a business trip. Yang and myself will be missing her very much.
We will be there to fetch her when she returns next Sunday!
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